If not for the epidemic raging, if not for the many teams announcing their withdrawal, perhaps the history of Shanxi Longjin, a Chinese B team, would be lost. They were handed up from the Central Championship at the beginning of the year. The former head coach, that had been a star player in China's soccer world, Gao Chao, and the current head coach, Zhou Lin, was his close friend and teammate in the National Olympic team era, and his most trusted workplace partner. Now 40 years old Zhou Lin has been retired for many years, was one of the most trusted defensive core of coach Shen Xiangfu, from the period of A A former guard Huandao began his career, until Evergrande entered the soccer circle, he chose to retire.
The reason why this newspaper pays attention to Shandong Longjin is partly because of the team's management, with Gao Chao as the general manager, Zhou Lin as the head coach, and Wang Sheng as the chief assistant coach, all of whom were mainstays of the national Olympic team at the Athens Olympics; on the other hand, Shanxi Longjin is undefeated in the first phase of the 14-game season, and they were relegated last season, but they have broken into the first division with undefeated records this season. If they can lead the team to the Central League, it will be a great story.
Recently, the reporter interviewed the head coach Zhou Lin, who is actively preparing for the fight for the first division, and listened to him tell the story of leading the team into the first division of the dribs and drabs.
Q: Soccer: Shanxi Longjin, as a team that was handed over to China B, but was able to enter the first group with a 14-game unbeaten streak at the top of the table, is this something that was thought of at the beginning of the season?
Zhou Lin: I still have some confidence in this team, first of all, I have the biggest support from General Manager Gao Chao behind me. This achievement is not achieved by me alone, it belongs to Gao Chao and also to our whole coaching team. Now we don't know if we can reach the Central League, of course we have always had this goal, but ultimately whether we can go to the platform of the Central League, but also depends on our next efforts and how fate.
Q: Soccer: Why did you choose to come to coach this team? Is this your first time leading a professional team in a league as a head coach?
Zhou Lin: Yes, this is the first time I personally lead a team to play in a league as a head coach. Even if it's in the second division, this is a very valuable opportunity. I have to thank Mr. Gao for coming to this team, it's his trust and support, as well as a certain amount of decentralization that allows me to work smoothly.
Q: FOOTBALL: Why did Gaucho invite you to coach this team? What was your work experience like before coaching Long Jin?
Zhou Lin: Mr. Gao and I have been the best teammates, friends and brothers since the National Olympic period. We have been roommates in the National Olympic team, so we can talk about everything, and our understanding of soccer and our outlook on being a human being are relatively close to each other. Besides the two of us, Wang Sheng is also our good brother, so it can be said that we have been playing since childhood. Mr. Gao led his own team last year, but he needed to both find funding and lead his own team in battle, which was too difficult.
(Due to space constraints, some of the content is omitted here, and the following is the part showing pictures)
(Due to space constraints, some of the content is omitted here, and the following is a summary of the content of the interview)
Zhou Lin said that the restructuring of the team's personnel was led by him, and that he hoped to improve the team's overall level by selecting players with real strength. He also emphasized the team's unity and fighting spirit in difficult times, as well as its confidence in the future.
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At the end of the interview, Zhou Lin said he hoped to lead the team to better results and contribute to the development of Shanxi soccer.
Q: Soccer: How do you feel about the level of the C.B. League? Some fans think it's OK, some think the attention is not high.
Zhou Lin: If you compare it to the Chinese Super League, it's definitely not a big concern because there are no foreign aiders. If you compare it to the Big 5, it's even less to watch. But China B has been improving, and I believe it will get better and better. Especially since the abolition of the reserve team league, no football and some over-age U23 players are moving to the B, which inadvertently also enhance the competitiveness of the B. The B is a very competitive league, but it's a very competitive league.
Q: Football: because of the epidemic prevention and control needs, now from the Chinese Super League to the Chinese B, are all tournament system of games, so such a tournament system of games on the team to the first place has no impact?
Zhou Lin: There is definitely an impact, but it can not be helped, after all, epidemic prevention is the first priority. We had negotiated a sponsor, also contributed part of the funds, but perhaps encountered some difficulties so had to interrupt the cooperation, the specific reasons I'm not sure, but still to the previous support to express gratitude.
Q: Soccer: Which teams feel like the main rivals? What do you think about the team's prospects of reaching the first division?
Zhou Lin: I don't think there is whether the main rivals, are not good, but there are a few teams with the will to reach the first place is very strong, such as Hebei and Qingdao Hainiu, their will to reach the first place is very strong, we will fight if we have the opportunity to rush.
Q: Soccer: So best of luck with your run to the top.
CHOWLIN: Thank you for your good wishes. Regardless of the result, we will try our best not to leave any regrets. And now our financial difficulties are also temporary, Huafang Sports has helped us find new sponsors, all we can do is to do what we should do, and wait for the opportunity to come so that we can seize it.
